How to Write a Cover Letter

For years, job seekers have been asking the same question.

Do cover letters still matter?

The answer is yes, but not always in the way people think.

Not every employer asks for one. Some applications don't even give you the option to upload one. However, when a cover letter is requested, or when you have the opportunity to include one, it can add valuable context that your CV alone cannot provide.

The key is understanding its purpose.

A cover letter isn't meant to repeat your CV. It's an opportunity to explain why you're interested in the role, highlight the experience most relevant to the employer and show that you've taken the time to understand what they're looking for.

That advice is remarkably consistent across guidance from Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University, Morgan Hunt, Michael Page, Hays and other trusted careers services. While each organisation has its own preferred style, they all agree on one thing: a good cover letter should be tailored, concise and genuine.

What is a cover letter actually for?

Your CV answers the question:

"What experience do you have?"

A cover letter answers a different question:

"Why are you the right person for this role?"

Think of it as the bridge between your experience and the employer's requirements.

Your CV lists your career history.

Your cover letter explains how that experience makes you a strong candidate for this specific opportunity.

It's also your chance to demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation rather than simply sending another generic application.

Don't start by talking about yourself

Many cover letters begin with something like this:

I am writing to apply for the position of...

Technically, there's nothing wrong with that sentence.

The problem is that it doesn't tell the employer anything they don't already know.

A stronger opening immediately connects your experience to the role.

For example, instead of simply stating that you're applying, briefly explain why the position interests you or why your background is relevant.

The goal is to give the recruiter a reason to keep reading.

Tailor every cover letter

One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is sending exactly the same cover letter with every application.

Recruiters notice.

Universities including Harvard and MIT, alongside leading recruitment firms such as Hays and Michael Page, consistently recommend tailoring both your CV and your cover letter for each application.

Fortunately, tailoring doesn't mean rewriting everything.

Most of your structure will stay the same.

What changes is the focus.

Before writing your cover letter, spend a few minutes reviewing the job description.

Ask yourself:

• What skills does the employer mention repeatedly?
• Which responsibilities seem most important?
• What type of person are they looking for?
• Which parts of my experience best demonstrate those qualities?

Your cover letter should answer those questions naturally.

Show, don't simply claim

One of the easiest ways to weaken a cover letter is to fill it with unsupported statements.

Phrases like:

• I'm hardworking.
• I'm an excellent communicator.
• I'm a great team player.

...don't tell an employer very much on their own.

Instead, support your claims with examples from your experience.

For example, rather than saying you're good at solving problems, briefly describe a situation where you successfully resolved a difficult customer issue, improved a process or helped your team achieve a positive outcome.

Evidence is always more convincing than opinion.

Don't repeat your CV

A recruiter has already opened your CV.

They don't need to read the same information twice.

Instead of listing every previous job again, use your cover letter to expand on the experience most relevant to the role.

Imagine you're applying for a customer service position.

Rather than repeating your employment history, explain how your previous experience handling complex customer enquiries has prepared you for this opportunity.

That extra context helps recruiters understand the value behind your CV rather than simply reading the same information again.

Explain why this employer

One section that's often overlooked is explaining why you're applying for that particular organisation.

You don't need to write several paragraphs praising the company.

A few genuine sentences are enough.

Perhaps you're interested in the organisation because of its reputation, its products, its commitment to customer service or the opportunities it offers for professional development.

The important thing is to be specific.

Generic statements like "your company is an industry leader" could apply to almost any employer.

Show that you've taken the time to understand where you're applying.

Keep it concise

One of the strongest themes across university careers guidance is that cover letters should be concise.

Most employers aren't looking for a two-page essay.

In many cases, three or four well-written paragraphs are enough.

Focus on:

• Why you're applying.
• Why your experience is relevant.
• Why you're interested in the organisation.
• A professional closing that thanks the employer for their time.

Every paragraph should add value.

If a sentence doesn't help answer why you're suitable for the role, it probably doesn't need to be there.

Should you use AI to write your cover letter?

AI can be extremely useful for improving the quality of your writing.

It can help you:

• Structure your thoughts.
• Improve clarity.
• Remove repetition.
• Tailor your wording to a job description.
• Check grammar and spelling.

What it shouldn't do is write a fictional version of your career.

A cover letter should sound like you.

If AI adds achievements, motivations or experiences that aren't true, you're creating problems for yourself at the interview stage.

The strongest applications combine thoughtful AI assistance with genuine human experience.

Common cover letter mistakes

After reviewing guidance from universities and recruiters, the same mistakes appear again and again.

These include:

• Sending the same cover letter to every employer.
• Repeating your CV word for word.
• Making unsupported claims about your abilities.
• Writing several long paragraphs that are difficult to read.
• Focusing entirely on what you want instead of what you can offer.
• Forgetting to proofread before submitting.

None of these mistakes automatically ruin an application, but avoiding them can make your cover letter significantly stronger.

Do you always need a cover letter?

Not necessarily.

If an employer doesn't ask for one and there's nowhere to upload one, your CV should be able to stand on its own.

However, if a cover letter is requested, or you have the option to include one, it's usually worth taking the opportunity.

A well-written cover letter allows you to explain your motivation, demonstrate your understanding of the role and connect your experience to the employer's needs in a way that a CV often cannot.

When done well, it complements your CV rather than competing with it.

The bottom line

A good cover letter isn't about using impressive language or trying to sound like the perfect candidate.

It's about making a clear, honest case for why your experience, skills and motivation make you a strong fit for a particular role.

Like your CV, it should be tailored, evidence based and truthful.

That's why Prawda approaches cover letters differently.

Instead of generating generic templates filled with buzzwords, Prawda is designed to help you create tailored cover letters that reflect your real experience, align with the employer's requirements and remain consistent with your CV.

Because the strongest applications don't rely on exaggeration.

They give employers a genuine reason to invite you to interview.